News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-09-08

L shan't tell you anything more abou
any one l meet. !"
In due course of time Mr.. Codd di
come to the schoolroom to inspect Gel
aldine's drawings. Lady Margaret an
an antiquated German governess wer
reading aloud.
81 hope we are not interrupting. MI
Codd is very anxious to see my sketches
Fraulein. This is my sister, Mr. Codd.
tHow do you do, Mr.. Codd. 1t i
very kind of you to come up here. Gel
aldine has told me all about you. Yo
have such lovely house and beautiful
pictures, and such nice things to eat.
am not out OF should like to come an(
see it ALL
Mr.. Codd murmured something vagu
about next year.
Jerry is very kind to me, you know
though she will not make haste and ge
married. If want particularly to SCI
any of her admirers-you do admire
her, of course, or You would not come
SO oftcn-she always manages to bring
them mp stairs. Now, Rupert PaIllei
and are great friends-isn't he deal
boy? And Lord Strathnellan was very
nice, too, till Geraldine refused him and
he went oft to America, and has been
shooting bears ever since. You know ]
mustn't come down stairs to the drawing.
room or be inspected by any young men
before my hour has struck. Mamma
would faint if l made myself known
prematurely. I am to burst suddenly
on the fashionable world Do you ad.
mire mammal Don't you think hel
clever2 Oh, you would say she is
clever if you knew my sisters Letitia and
Hermione. They are both very stupid
and not particularly good looking
ry and I are the best of the lot-yet
they both married well, and Letitia is q
marchioness. Mamma managed it ALL
You can't think how dull and pompous
my brother-in-law Slateford is l don't
think l should care to be marchion-
ess.'
Mr.. Codd appeared much amused by
this giriish chatter. The outspoken
Lady Margaret had charming, pi-
quante face that made people young to
look at. Lady Geraldine and the gov
erness returned from the adjoining room
with portfolios to find Mr. Codd and
Lady Margaret on the best of terms.
Mr. Codd had had no previous con-
ception that aristocratic lips were frank
and ingenious, though he was, of
course, aware that humanity of lower
degree is candid to a painful degree.
After three weeks or so, Lady Umfre-
vile began to think it time for Mr.. Codd
to make up his mind. Why did he not
propose to Geraldine
The preliminaries had gone on long
enough, and the worlds eyes were be
ginning to fix curiously on the pair
Lady Umfreville had monopolized the
wealthy stockholdcr too fully to escape
calumny. The countess thought it
might be cxpedient to give the back
ward suitor gentle push. The honor
intended for him seemed too great. In
a secluded corner at garden party she
opened fire.
"You are evidently not marrying
man, Mr.. Codd," she said playfully.
GLOW can you resist the lovely girls
you meet daily"
Mr.. Codd cast sharp glance at the
lady's smiling face.
''My thoughts have been always given
to other mattcrs-more prosaic things,
Lady Umfreville. Till lately, the idea
Of matrimony never entered my mead"
''Ah, then L suppose you have begun
to think of it. Indeed, 4 man of your
position-of your wealth and influence,
owes this duty to society. OF course
you are entitled to look for youth and
beauty, and [ feel sure that any we'll
brought up, right minded girl will APP
preciate your sterling qualities. I have
no son of my own, you know" with a
sigh, "but [ assure you, Mr.. Codd, |
feel quite maternal interest in your
welfare -
This was rather more than neces-
sary Mr.. Codd's little eyes sparkled.
''Pray cease, Lady Unfreville. I am
not a man to rate my own merits
beneath their worth, but cannot allow
you to speak in these TERMS
'Ihave thought, Mr.. Codd, continued
the unabashed countess, "that your re-
modesty might prevent you
from aspiring in direction where your
heart may be engaged. Let me offer
you encouragement. You remember
the old adage faint heart never won fair
lady I think should like a cup of
tea now, Mr.. Codd.
The stockholders eyes were down
cast as he conducted the lady to mar
quee. While she slipped her tea she
audibly what had become of
Geraldine. Finally she sent MI. Codd
in quest of the rowing damsel. He pre-
sently found her issuing from a secluded
shrubbery in company of Rupert Paulet
He smiled at his friend as he declared
his mission to Lady Geraldine.
That evening Rupert Paulet dined
Lete-a-tete with Mr.. Codd. When the
left the room silence fell be-
tween the two men.
Gam ] to congratulate you, old fel-
ow2" said Mr.. Codd at last.
"My dear Codd, you are the best
packer in the world. You may congrat-
Ilate me; / have won her, and it is all
wing to you. You have put the only
ucky chance / have ever had in nv
way There'll be the deuce to pay with
ler ladyship, of course, but when she
,nows all there may be eXtenuating cir
"
MIR. Codd, getting up from his seat,
aid hand ON the younger mans
hOulder.
81 was nearly falling in love with her
myself in the beginning, Paulet. She
S q beautiful creature. .
so / thought-so / was afraid"
Rupert.
''But / soon saw how it was and it
7ouldn't have been any good. [ can't
hink how she has bred so true. The
lother would sell her soul for money.
md that little Lady Margaret-she is |
here Mr. Codd sighed, "and |
be is SO tired of lords and marquises. " |
Ir. Codd, throwing back his head,
lughed pleasantly.
"Shall L tell the countess all about it |
o-mOrrowl [ have an appointment |
18th her in the morning"
eff you only would, my dear Codd.
ou might break it gently. I'm in a
lortal funk when / thing of facing
er."
On the morrow Mr.. Codd jumped in
} a hanson with cheerful mien and |
rove down to Prince's-gate. Lady |
-mfreville was of course at home and |
'ould receive Mr.. Codd in her boudoir.
his solicited interview surely boded |
ome good news.
''YOu are an early visitor" she said, |
Milling; 81 thought you were always in
le city at eleven o'clock
''NOt always, Lady Umfreville. And |
apply L have taken a partner who will
elieve me of much responsibility.
"Indeed-a very wise step. A rising
oung city man, suppose. If he is a
'iend of yours, you must bring him out
ere some day"
"No, he is not city man, but for all
nat he has useful business talents. 1t
, Mr.. Paulet. He is u very reliable
oung fellow, and have every confid-
nee in him. Lady Umfreville stared
t Mr.. Codd in undignifed amazement.
"Rupert Paulet your partner! He
7rote to say he had communication to